Six Republican-led states are sending hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to support President Donald Trump’s “crime crackdown,” even though some of those states have cities with crime rates higher than the nation’s capital, according to FBI and local police data.
Why It Matters
Earlier this month, Trump announced that National Guard troops will be stationed in Washington, D.C., to “reestablish law, order and public safety.” As of Monday evening, six states have agreed to send troops to D.C. in support: West Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, South Carolina and Ohio.
About 800 National Guard members had already been activated in D.C. before additional state authorizations.
Trump’s efforts build on a previously signed executive order titled “Making The District of Columbia Safe And Beautiful,” an order that seeks to reduce crime in D.C., among other measures.
What To Know
The FBI released data this month showing that over 14 million criminal offenses occurred across the country in 2024, but that various crimes nationwide decreased compared to previous years.
Compared to the most populated states like California, New York, and Texas, Washington, D.C., also appears to have a higher rate of crime against persons, according to the FBI data.
According to data released by the Metropolitan police, there were 29,348 total reported crimes in the capital in 2024. Of those, 3,469 were classified as violent crimes, with 187 homicides reported, and 25,879 were identified as property crimes.
Crime levels in D.C. both exceed and trail those in certain cities from the six Republican-led states contributing National Guard troops.
Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images
Tennessee
At least two Tennessee cities had higher rates of violent and property crime than Washington, D.C., last year. Memphis reported 15,338 violent crimes last year, including 249 cases of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, according to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. The city also recorded 42,305 property crimes.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department reported 7,857 violent crimes in 2024, more than Washington, D.C., but recorded fewer murders, with 102. Nashville also logged 31,521 property crimes, a higher total than the nation’s capital.
Louisiana
In Louisiana, two cities reported less crime than Washington, D.C., in 2024, and crime in the state’s most populous city, New Orleans, dropped about 25 percent from 2023 to 2024, according to figures provided to Newsweek by the New Orleans Police Department.
New Orleans recorded 2,543 crimes against people last year, including 124 murders as well as hundreds of assaults, rapes and robberies. Police also logged 14,079 property crimes, such as burglaries and thefts, for a total of 16,622 crimes in 2024 compared with 22,376 in 2023.
In Shreveport, one of Louisiana’s northern cities with higher crime rates, police recorded 2,151 violent crimes in 2024, including 47 murders, according to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. The city also reported nearly 7,000 property crimes.
Ohio
Cleveland reported the most violent crime in the state, with 5,663; however, Columbus reported more murders and property crimes, 112 and 24,290, respectively. Columbus, the state capital and largest city, reported less violent crime than Cleveland, at 3,981. However, in total, both reported less than Washington, D.C.
South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina’s capital, has the largest reported violent crime in the state, with 1,113 reported last year, 14 of which were murders. The city saw 4,673 property crimes, according to the FBI’s Crime Explorer Data.
On the coast, Northern Charleston reported more murders, 21, with overall reported violent crime at 1,001. The city saw more property crimes, 4,886.
Mississippi
While the FBI Crime Explorer Data did not have information on Jackson, in 2024, the local police reported 111 homicides.
Newsweek reached out to the Jackson police department and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for comment via email on Wednesday.
Southaven, according to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, had the highest number of violent crimes last year at 175. The city also had 1,165 property crimes. Tupelo had 147 violent crimes and 1,420 property crimes.
West Virginia
Huntington, West Virginia, reported 359 violent crimes last year and 1,616 property crimes, while Charleston reported 251 violent crimes, including 6 murders, with a similar property crime number of 1,443.
What People Are Saying
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves on X on Monday: “I’ve approved the deployment of approximately 200 Mississippi National Guard Soldiers to Washington, D.C., to support President Trump’s effort to return law and order to our nation’s capital.
“Crime is out of control there, and it’s clear something must be done to combat it. Americans deserve a safe capital city that we can all be proud of. I know the brave men and women of our National Guard will do an excellent job enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on X on Monday: “I have approved the deployment of approximately 135 @LANationalGuard soldiers to Washington DC to assist in President @realDonaldTrump’s mission of restoring safety and peace in our nation’s capital. We are a nation of law and order. Our capital is a reflection of our nation’s respect, beauty, and standards. We cannot allow our cities to be overcome by violence and lawlessness. I am proud to support this mission to return safety and sanity to Washington DC and cities all across our country, including right here in Louisiana.”
President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Monday: “D.C. gave Fake Crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety. This is a very bad and dangerous thing to do, and they are under serious investigation for so doing! Until 4 days ago, Washington, D.C., was the most unsafe ‘city’ in the United States, and perhaps the World. Now, in just a short period of time, it is perhaps the safest, and getting better every single hour! People are flocking to D.C. again, and soon, the beautification will begin!”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on X last week: “Let us be clear about what the law requires during a Presidential declared emergency: it requires the mayor of Washington, DC to provide the services of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes at the request of the President. We have followed the law. In reference to the U.S. Attorney General’s order, there is no statute that conveys the District’s personnel authority to a federal official.”
What Happens Next
Washington officials have sued to block aspects of the federal takeover. Out-of-state troops have arrived in the capital.
